Partners and Sponsors

The National Autistic Society

We are the leading UK charity for people with autism (including Asperger syndrome) and their families. We provide information, support and pioneering services, and campaign for a better world for people with autism. Our work relies on your support, so please get involved or donate today.

We now know that more than one in 100 people has autism – that’s around half a million people in the UK today. We also know that, alone, we can only reach and support a small proportion of these people and their families. That’s why we’ll not only continue to give people and their families the very best information and support possible, we’ll focus on making sure that everyone responsible for supporting people with autism has the knowledge, skills and resources they need to work more efficiently and effectively.

We will be responsive to the needs of all people with autism – wherever they are on the autism spectrum and whatever the particular economic, social and political circumstances of the UK nation they live in.

We want to inform, inspire and motivate. We want lasting change. Our work has given us the experience, expertise and determination to do this.

Together, we will have a much bigger and better impact on people’s lives.

Research Autism

Research Autism is the only UK charity dedicated to the promotion of high-quality research into autism treatments, therapies and other approaches. We are independent. We carry out our own research and also provide impartial information about autism approaches and research conducted by others. Our website meets the requirements of the NHS Information standard, which confirms the scientific rigour that is applied to all content and opinion. Our vision is of a world in which people with autism are no longer excluded, and where they and their families are able to enjoy a good quality of life.

Research Autism is the only UK charity exclusively dedicated to research into interventions in autism.

Established in 2003 as the Autism Intervention Research Trust, we carry out high quality, independent research into new and existing health, education, social and other interventions. Our goal is the improvement of quality of life and outlook for the individuals affected and those around them.

We have the active support of some of the world’s leading figures in autism and research. They have given freely of their time and expertise to work with us. We also work closely with our research sponsor, the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge, as well as with other organisations such as the National Autistic Society.

As far as possible, we also try to work with individuals on the autism spectrum, carers, service providers and policy makers to make sure that our research addresses real issues and that it makes a significant difference to people’s lives.

We receive generous financial support from a range of organisations and individuals. The support we receive from them is freely given and does not influence the editorial policy of this site.

Please consider getting involved with us and help us to continue our vital work. By acting today you can make a difference tomorrow!

Mike Ayres

We design and create multi-sensory environments, sensory studios, soft play rooms and safe rooms for anyone with additional and special needs. The company offers a complete service, from beginning to completion and ongoing maintenance. We also manufacture switch access systems and have an extensive mail order catalogue of multi-sensory products.

Mike Ayres is a professional designer with 30 years experience in creating equipment and environments for people with special needs.

He was instrumental in introducing the Dutch concept of ‘Snoezelen’ into Britain in the 1980’s. Since then he has worked on multi-sensory concepts, environments and products for care and education. This web site features many of Mike’s original projects.

He continues to work on new concepts for whole buildings, individual environments and products, working with architects, project teams, educationalists and professionals in the caring industry. He aims to design and produce the very best equipment and environments for people with special needs and to enable everyone to function successfully in an inclusive environment.

OM Interactive

OMI is a leading UK developer and provider of motion activated interactive sensory systems, Their unique gesture controlled systems deliver multiple benefits for individuals with ASD. Used as controlled stimuli, it is encouraging learning through imitation, improving communication, increasing attention span, self-awareness, reducing stress and more.

Founded in 2005, OMi is a pioneer in the design, development and supply of gesture-controlled interactive technology for the education, health, special needs and leisure sectors. OMi systems provide an incredibly powerful tool that can inspire and engage people of all ages – fun whilst learning.

OMi gesture–controlled systems are developed from a fusion of art and science, combining images, colour, movement and sounds to create motion-activated solutions for virtual reality, physical therapy, multisensory stimulation and immersive play.

At the heart of every OMi gesture controlled system is a huge selection of unique interactive content. Themes include; Interactive Music, Educational, Our World, Theme Explorer, Playtime, Sensory & Relaxation, Festive, Explore and many others. A comprehensive suite of options offer a rewarding experience for all audiences, regardless of age and ability.

With hundreds of successful installations and satisfied clients throughout the UK from schools to medical trusts and high profile commercial organisations, OMi are proud of achieving ‘10 years’ of market-led innovation and customer service.

Our creative team is dedicated to offering continuous customer support, advice and updates.

Autism Eye

Autism Eye is edited by Gillian Loughran and its publisher is Gillian’s husband, Mark Hayes. Not only are they both award-winning magazine editors and writers with years of experience in the UK publishing business, but they are also the parents of Finn, their beloved son, who has autism.

Autism Eye was borne out of the frustration that Gillian and Mark felt about the lack of useful and unbiased information for parents of children with ASD. Although the couple have tried a variety of interventions that have helped improve their son’s life, they found it harder than it should have been to make proper, informed judgements about how to treat their child’s autism. There has been little in-depth, rigorous coverage available about therapies and educational interventions.

Autism Eye aims to change that scenario by keeping parents informed about the best treatments for their child – and to help them avoid the worst.

SEN Magazine

SEN Magazine is a glossy, full colour magazine published every two months and packed full of interesting and authoritative features, news and articles covering all issues to do with SEN and disability. It’s essential reading for teachers, SENCOs, carers, parents, therapists and all practitioners in special needs.

SEN Magazine is distributed to all special schools in the UK and is available on subscription to mainstream schools. Copies are also mailed directly to our ever-growing list of subscribers and to key decision makers in local education authorities.

The Good Schools Guide

The Good Schools Guide is the number one trusted guide to schools in the UK, helping parents in every aspect of choosing the best education for their children. We offer a comprehensive collection of advice and education data on state, independent, grammar, boarding, selective and non-selective schools, tutors, special needs, university choice and much more. We also offer tailor-made individual advice and support to parents as they make important decisions on school choices

We review more than 1,100 schools, covering state and independent, boarding and day, mainstream and special sectors. If a school is not reviewed in The Guide this does not necessarily mean it is not a good school – our selection is a personal one. In any event, we are in the process of gently expanding our coverage to include more good local schools. If you know of one that we have missed, or have got wrong, please tell us: it’s parents like you who have made The Guide as good as it is.